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US20240071340A1 - Modular Guitar - Google Patents

Modular Guitar Download PDF

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Publication number
US20240071340A1
US20240071340A1 US18/175,516 US202318175516A US2024071340A1 US 20240071340 A1 US20240071340 A1 US 20240071340A1 US 202318175516 A US202318175516 A US 202318175516A US 2024071340 A1 US2024071340 A1 US 2024071340A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
frame
guitar
module
modular
control module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US18/175,516
Inventor
Ian Williams
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US29/866,070 external-priority patent/USD1046956S1/en
Priority claimed from US29/866,072 external-priority patent/USD1046957S1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US18/175,516 priority Critical patent/US20240071340A1/en
Publication of US20240071340A1 publication Critical patent/US20240071340A1/en
Priority to US19/212,657 priority patent/US20250292746A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/06—Necks; Fingerboards, e.g. fret boards
    • G10D3/095—Details of removable or collapsible necks, e.g. suitable for transport or storage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D1/00—General design of stringed musical instruments
    • G10D1/04—Plucked or strummed string instruments, e.g. harps or lyres
    • G10D1/05—Plucked or strummed string instruments, e.g. harps or lyres with fret boards or fingerboards
    • G10D1/08—Guitars
    • G10D1/085—Mechanical design of electric guitars
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G10H3/181—Details of pick-up assemblies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G10H3/183—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar in which the position of the pick-up means is adjustable
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to musical instruments, and more particularly, to a modular guitar design.
  • a modular instrument design can be desirable for ease of transport and for confidence in the integrity of the instrument when assembled.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular guitar in assembled form.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame for the modular guitar of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 with a pickup module and a control module attached to the frame.
  • FIG. 4 A is perspective view of an exemplary pickup module.
  • FIG. 4 B is side view of the exemplary pickup module of FIG. 4 A showing a connector for the pickups.
  • FIG. 5 A is top view of an exemplary control module.
  • FIG. 5 B is side view of the exemplary control module of FIG. 5 A showing a connector for the controls.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a modular electric guitar 10 .
  • the body 100 of guitar 10 has a double-cut design similar to a Stratocaster or S-style electric guitar. However, rather than a solid body design, the body 100 of modular guitar 10 is simply a peripheral frame of that S-style design, as shown in FIG. 2 , with an open interior 101 defined by the body frame 100 .
  • a pickup module 120 Removably attached within the body frame 100 are a pickup module 120 and a control module 140 .
  • a guitar neck 160 is removably attached to extend from the body frame in the usual manner.
  • the control module 140 includes typical controls such as volume knob 141 , tone knob 142 , and pickup selector switch 143 on the top surface of the control module, and the module is electrically coupled to the pickup module 120 , e.g., with a modular hard-wired connectors, for example as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 B .
  • An input jack 144 is provided for a standard 1 ⁇ 4 inch plug connector.
  • the pickup module 120 includes electronic pickups 121 affixed in appropriate position and desired orientation in correspondence with the guitar strings, as well as a bridge assembly 122 for retaining and securing guitar strings in proper position, including in this “headless” configuration bridge/tuners.
  • body frame could take many different shapes, and that many different types of pickup and control assemblies may implemented within a particular modular body frame without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 shows the body frame 100 by itself, without the neck, pickup module and control module attached, thus revealing the extent of the empty interior portion 101 of the frame.
  • a platform 102 is provided at the neck end of the body frame 100 between the double-cut portions 103 for attaching (and removing) the neck 160 and the pickup module 120 , with through holes 104 for bolting the neck and pickup module in place at the platform.
  • FIG. 3 shows the body frame 100 with pickup module 120 and control module 140 attached.
  • the pickup module 120 has a cutout 123 for receiving pickups, a recess 124 (or second type of cutout) for attaching a bridge assembly, another cutout 125 on the side, and a tongue 126 extending from the module 120 for coupling with the platform 102 of the body frame 100 in bolt-on manner.
  • FIG. 4 A shows the pickup module 120 with pickups 121 installed, and a connector 127 configured within a side opening 125 on the module (the side closest to the control module, preferably).
  • FIG. 4 B is a side view showing connector 125 having a three-terminal configuration, for electrically connecting with the pickups 121 in this particular configuration. Other configurations or connections may of course be used.
  • FIG. 5 A is a top view of the control module 140
  • the side view in FIG. 5 B shows connector 146 for receiving a cable from the pickup module 120 , and for electrically connecting with the volume knob 141 , tone knob 142 , and selector switch 143 .

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Stringed Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

A modular guitar.

Description

    BACKGROUND
  • This disclosure relates generally to musical instruments, and more particularly, to a modular guitar design. A modular instrument design can be desirable for ease of transport and for confidence in the integrity of the instrument when assembled.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular guitar in assembled form.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame for the modular guitar of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 with a pickup module and a control module attached to the frame.
  • FIG. 4A is perspective view of an exemplary pickup module.
  • FIG. 4B is side view of the exemplary pickup module of FIG. 4A showing a connector for the pickups.
  • FIG. 5A is top view of an exemplary control module.
  • FIG. 5B is side view of the exemplary control module of FIG. 5A showing a connector for the controls.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a modular electric guitar 10. The body 100 of guitar 10 has a double-cut design similar to a Stratocaster or S-style electric guitar. However, rather than a solid body design, the body 100 of modular guitar 10 is simply a peripheral frame of that S-style design, as shown in FIG. 2 , with an open interior 101 defined by the body frame 100.
  • Removably attached within the body frame 100 are a pickup module 120 and a control module 140. A guitar neck 160 is removably attached to extend from the body frame in the usual manner.
  • The control module 140 includes typical controls such as volume knob 141, tone knob 142, and pickup selector switch 143 on the top surface of the control module, and the module is electrically coupled to the pickup module 120, e.g., with a modular hard-wired connectors, for example as shown in FIGS. 4A-5B. An input jack 144 is provided for a standard ¼ inch plug connector.
  • The pickup module 120 includes electronic pickups 121 affixed in appropriate position and desired orientation in correspondence with the guitar strings, as well as a bridge assembly 122 for retaining and securing guitar strings in proper position, including in this “headless” configuration bridge/tuners.
  • It should be recognized that body frame could take many different shapes, and that many different types of pickup and control assemblies may implemented within a particular modular body frame without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 shows the body frame 100 by itself, without the neck, pickup module and control module attached, thus revealing the extent of the empty interior portion 101 of the frame. A platform 102 is provided at the neck end of the body frame 100 between the double-cut portions 103 for attaching (and removing) the neck 160 and the pickup module 120, with through holes 104 for bolting the neck and pickup module in place at the platform.
  • FIG. 3 shows the body frame 100 with pickup module 120 and control module 140 attached. The pickup module 120 has a cutout 123 for receiving pickups, a recess 124 (or second type of cutout) for attaching a bridge assembly, another cutout 125 on the side, and a tongue 126 extending from the module 120 for coupling with the platform 102 of the body frame 100 in bolt-on manner.
  • FIG. 4A shows the pickup module 120 with pickups 121 installed, and a connector 127 configured within a side opening 125 on the module (the side closest to the control module, preferably). FIG. 4B is a side view showing connector 125 having a three-terminal configuration, for electrically connecting with the pickups 121 in this particular configuration. Other configurations or connections may of course be used.
  • FIG. 5A is a top view of the control module 140, and the side view in FIG. 5B shows connector 146 for receiving a cable from the pickup module 120, and for electrically connecting with the volume knob 141, tone knob 142, and selector switch 143.
  • Many different configurations can be envisioned for coupling a basic frame, with a removable neck, pickups and controls. The foregoing description is merely one illustrative example of a guitar configuration.

Claims (1)

1. A modular instrument, comprising:
a peripheral frame defining an interior space, the frame including a platform at a neck end of the frame;
a neck configured for removable coupling with the platform of the frame;
a pickup assembly configured for removable coupling with the platform of the frame; and
a control module configured for removable coupling with the frame.
US18/175,516 2022-08-26 2023-02-27 Modular Guitar Abandoned US20240071340A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18/175,516 US20240071340A1 (en) 2022-08-26 2023-02-27 Modular Guitar
US19/212,657 US20250292746A1 (en) 2022-08-26 2025-05-19 Modular Guitar Body

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29/866,070 USD1046956S1 (en) 2022-08-26 2022-08-26 Electric guitar body
US29/866,072 USD1046957S1 (en) 2022-08-26 2022-08-26 Electric guitar body
US18/175,516 US20240071340A1 (en) 2022-08-26 2023-02-27 Modular Guitar

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US29/866,070 Continuation-In-Part USD1046956S1 (en) 2022-08-26 2022-08-26 Electric guitar body

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US19/212,657 Continuation-In-Part US20250292746A1 (en) 2022-08-26 2025-05-19 Modular Guitar Body

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20240071340A1 true US20240071340A1 (en) 2024-02-29

Family

ID=89997214

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/175,516 Abandoned US20240071340A1 (en) 2022-08-26 2023-02-27 Modular Guitar

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20240071340A1 (en)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6194644B1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2001-02-27 Mark G. Hendrickson Modular electric guitar
US6233825B1 (en) * 1999-08-03 2001-05-22 Degroot Richard J. Metallic stringed musical instrument body and method of making said body
US20020104424A1 (en) * 2001-01-17 2002-08-08 Spalt Michael Sebastian Modular stringed instrument system
US7002065B2 (en) * 2004-03-11 2006-02-21 Neil Petersen Chassis for an electrical stringed musical instrument
US10540946B2 (en) * 2018-02-01 2020-01-21 Ian Reddick Portable, modular platform for assembling a stringed instrument
US20200365119A1 (en) * 2019-05-16 2020-11-19 Ian Reddick Modular electric guitar system
USD973762S1 (en) * 2020-12-03 2022-12-27 Walter Verdick Guitar
USD1046956S1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-10-15 Ian Williams Electric guitar body
USD1046957S1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-10-15 Ian Williams Electric guitar body

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6194644B1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2001-02-27 Mark G. Hendrickson Modular electric guitar
US6233825B1 (en) * 1999-08-03 2001-05-22 Degroot Richard J. Metallic stringed musical instrument body and method of making said body
US20020104424A1 (en) * 2001-01-17 2002-08-08 Spalt Michael Sebastian Modular stringed instrument system
US7002065B2 (en) * 2004-03-11 2006-02-21 Neil Petersen Chassis for an electrical stringed musical instrument
US10540946B2 (en) * 2018-02-01 2020-01-21 Ian Reddick Portable, modular platform for assembling a stringed instrument
US20200365119A1 (en) * 2019-05-16 2020-11-19 Ian Reddick Modular electric guitar system
USD973762S1 (en) * 2020-12-03 2022-12-27 Walter Verdick Guitar
USD1046956S1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-10-15 Ian Williams Electric guitar body
USD1046957S1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-10-15 Ian Williams Electric guitar body

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